Effect of Melatonin on Sleep Patterns of Resident Trainees During Night Float Shift

Description

Anesthesiology residency requires extended and overnight shifts, which may negatively impact the quantity and quality of sleep. Previous studies have investigated the effect of night float shift work on anesthesiology resident sleep and performance and demonstrated that total sleep quantity and time spent in deep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep were significantly reduced during night float and did not return to baseline after 3 nights of recovery. Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland, which regulates the circadian rhythm that governs sleep. Exogenous melatonin may be used as a sleep aid and is available over the counter in the United States. Melatonin is effective in realigning the circadian rhythm disorder caused by night shift work and increasing sleep duration; however, melatonin's effect on improving sleep in resident trainees has not been investigated. The investigators propose a prospective double-blinded randomized control trial to investigate the effect of melatonin on sleep quantity and quality in resident physicians assigned to a night float system.

Conditions

Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Anesthesiology residency requires extended and overnight shifts, which may negatively impact the quantity and quality of sleep. Previous studies have investigated the effect of night float shift work on anesthesiology resident sleep and performance and demonstrated that total sleep quantity and time spent in deep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep were significantly reduced during night float and did not return to baseline after 3 nights of recovery. Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland, which regulates the circadian rhythm that governs sleep. Exogenous melatonin may be used as a sleep aid and is available over the counter in the United States. Melatonin is effective in realigning the circadian rhythm disorder caused by night shift work and increasing sleep duration; however, melatonin's effect on improving sleep in resident trainees has not been investigated. The investigators propose a prospective double-blinded randomized control trial to investigate the effect of melatonin on sleep quantity and quality in resident physicians assigned to a night float system.

Effect of Melatonin on Sleep Patterns of Resident Trainees During Night Float Shift

Effect of Melatonin on Sleep Patterns of Resident Trainees During Night Float Shift

Condition
Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Charlottesville

University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, 22908-0710

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Post-Graduate Year 1-5
  • * Current enrollment in anesthesiology, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, general medicine, or pediatrics residency at the Unversity of Virginia
  • * Current use of sleep aids
  • * Diagnosed sleep disorder
  • * History of a pacemaker or other medical device.
  • * pregnant or breast-feeding females
  • * Bleeding disorders
  • * Depression
  • * High blood pressure
  • * Seizure disorders
  • * History of transplant on immunosuppression therapy.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Virginia,

Lauren Dunn, MD PHD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Virginia

Study Record Dates

2024-06-30